The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-01-16
An Instance Where He Did Not
Advise to $50 West"
WORDS FROM THE GREAT EDITOR
Prophesyipg the Day Editorials And
Literary journalism Would Be Di-
vorced from the Comme rcial.

foothold in journalism on some of the
metropolitan papers, or go west,
whittier the star of intellectual as well
as material empire seemed to point the
way.
1 had brought with me from my New
England home a letter of Introduction
to Horace Greeley, given me by dis
tinguished American poetess, to whom
he had long been attached by the closest
spiritual ties. But so much had heard
of the savage humors with which on
was liable to be confronted, should his
presence happen to be iIl-timed, that l
felt like one who carried free pass to
enter lions cage, and the certainty
that the pass would carry me up when
once delivered made it all the more un-
comfortable in my pocket.
On the afternoon when l had deter
mined to hazard the die, passed and
repassed the old Tribune building
several times on the opposite side to get
my first journalistic wind, for l was
scarcely more than blushing. shrink
ing New England boy, who felt con-
strained in the presence of great men
to assume the attitude of a toad looking
up at st. Peters.
But finally gathered myself up. and
sighting the door of the Tribune office,
crossed the street with firm and steady
tread, and soon had my card in the
hands'o the Office boy. who disappeared
Al =
door which looked as though it might be
mill. l entered, and as the door closed
upon a dilapidated chair, for the abiding
spirit into whose presence | had entered
turned not round nor made any sign of
recognition.
l shah never forget the picture of that
editorial "den"-if that can be called a
picture which is thrown together by the
demons OF disorder and chaos. Papers,
pamphlets, books, unused copy, OLD
hats and editorial bric-a-brac Of all
descriptions were scattered about pro-
miscuously Mr.. Greeley's traditional
gray coat was flung into the corner,
with his slouched hat resting TRANQUILITY
upon it. A generous profusion of cob
webs and dust forced upon the visitors
attention the conspicuous absence of
broom, soap and toilet furniture. Verify
here was the fitting abode of intellectual
Rattlebones-the disputed realm of
Rhadamanthus and the Sun god.
The figure, whose brawny back was
turned toward me, was elevated on an
antique chair. the limbs ofwhich seemed
to be holding rivalry with those of its
occupant. Before him was desk nearly
as high as his shoulders, on the side of
which was pot of ink, set in pile of
quilts. The paper on which he wrote
was held at vertical angle. With his
great hand grasped firmly around the
quill, as though it were the lever that
moved the world, he would thrust it
into the ink pot, and then with motion
projected from level with the eve he
would swing it across and back on the
paper, as though it were a jackplane,
till the sheet was full. Whoever saw
Horace Greeley swing his quill in that
weird sanctum witnessed a technique"
the like of which was never seen before
in this world and will probably never be
seen again.
When he had finished the editorial
upon which he was at work he scram-
bled the sheets together scrubbed out
the headline, and calling boy sent the
copy up to the compositors. Forum
ately for me it happened to be his last
office work for that day, and now my
time had come. After reading over the
lady's note, which recommended me to
his kindest consideration, as youth of
more promise than experience in the
literary world, he turned to me, and
setting his specs upon his spacious
said: We'll young man"
Heavens thought |, now the rest is
coming. But that which came did not
point westward, but pointed rather, as
subsequent experience has since taught,
to the best sense within me.
Il am in mood" he continued, sin
Difference to my dear friend, Mrs. W.,
to give you my very best advice as to
the ACCESSIBILITY Of entering upon
journalism as a profession. If you
have brains, conscience and indepen-
dent creative, literary ability, my advice
to you is to keep away from newspapers
and work your level best in patience
till you can make point as magazine
writer. You have then laid the corner
stone OF your record, and if you sustain
it the way is certain for you to be rated
for all you are worth in literature. AL
is primarily q commercial
enterprise, whose proprietors are
engaged in buying and selling news and
of furnishing the various members
Of society with the means of making
known to each other their wants and
trade facilities. Outside of this it is
literary reformatory and
enterprise: but these latter
phases are bound TO be largely sub
seryient to the commercial purposes
upon which the enterprise financially
floats. 1t is for this reason that young
men are not usually taken into a news
paper office, except they are willing to
begin as uews gatherers, and thus make
q thorough understanding of the com
side of journalism the ground
work Of their efficiency. 1t will not
be in my time. young man,
but the day is coming when the editor
lal and literary side of a newspaper will |
be divorced from the commercial. That
day is not yet arrived, and the rlan who |
advertises candles, pills aud old junk in
q great journal feels that the editor is
responsible to him for his views |
on potatoes, economies and education. |
You are young, and will probably live |
TO see the day when distinctively liter |
airy bureaus, outside of the newspaper !
office will furnish the editorial and |
literary miscellany of the conf Ig
great journal over responsible sigma
lures This will srtrinata editorial 1